Continuous web feeding mechanism



-Fa- 12, 1954 G. A. LYON CONTINUOUS WEB FEEDlG' MECHANISM Filed June 21. 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W wm a PMU nu n 6 NN w lulu QN l f 6 um o Q 1|... HW uw, Wllluh wm WIWI m @n I- .im n... "l ..HHH w ||I| ...|l KN Nw www .,/L o o. MMT

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CONTINUOUS WEB FEEDING MECHANISM Filed June 21, 1949 4 Shana-shea?. 3

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATE.

TET GFFHCE 9 Claims.

rThis invention relates to a stock feed mechanism. More particularly it has to do with a mechanism for intermittently feeding a sheet of material to a processing station, such as a bed of a hydraulic press, in accurately measured lengths.

At present it is customary in processing sheets of material, such as sheet metal, to feed the continuous sheet into the processing station by means of rollers which contact the opposite sides of the sheet and frictionally grip it to slide it over a support surface into the processing machine. A stop bar is usually employed on the machine to limit the feeding of the sheet therein.

Frictionally .advancing sheet material is unsatisfactory due to the inherent inefciency of the rollers which must be accurately adjusted to obtain a driving effect. Also, materials with eX- ceptionally smooth, hard surfaces, such as stainless steel, do not lend themselves readily to frictional drive.

According to the teachings of the present invention, a sheet of material is supported in a substantially horizontal position on a table that is mounted for reciprocation on a support structure by means of a double acting pneumatic cylinder. A clamping arm is pivotally mounted on the side of the table and arranged, when pivoted to clamping position by means of a second double-acting pneumatic cylinder, to press a small side edge portion of the material into a groove in the upper surface of the table. The clamping arm thus positively grips the sheet and, as the table is moved forwardly, this gripping effect of the clamp causes the sheets to be indexed forwardly a distance equal to the length of the stroke of the piston in the pneumatic cylinder which reciprocates the table.

The air cylinder connected to each clamping device is controlled from a solenoid operated valve. When the table reaches the end of its forward feeding stroke, it trips a switch which actuates the solenoid to direct air under pressure to the opposite end of the pneumatic cylinder causing pivoting of the clamp to release position. While the press engages a portion of the sheet on the pad thereof, air under pressure is directed to the pneumatic cylinder connected to the table for retracting it to its initial position. When the press is ready for receiving the next section of the sheet, the pneumatic cylinders connected to the clamping arms are actuated to grip the sheet material onto the table, and the pneumatic cylinder connected to the table is energized to move the table forwardly in its feed stroke.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for gripping a sheet of material and feeding it a predetermined distance into a processing station.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feed mechanism for intermittently and positively feeding sheet stock to a processing machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for feeding material constructed and arranged to be adjustable for various widths of `sheet stock.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of a clamping mechanism including a V-shaped notch on the top surface of the reciprocating table in which the edge of the sheet material is pressed by a V-shaped end portion of a pivoting clamp arm.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a machine for feeding sheet stock which includes pneumatically operated cylinders Y for controlling the clamping and release of the sheet material on the table and the reciprocation of the table.

A still further feature of this invention is the provision of a mechanism for feeding sheet stock which employs a slidable reciprocating table for intermittently feeding the stock forwardly.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of an adjustable table which includes a xed. central portion and side table portions adjustable relative to the central portion.

Other and further features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a stock feeding mechanism constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view, with a portion of the machine broken away to better disclose the mechanism of the stock feeding machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of Figure 3 showing the clamping mechanism in a released, unclamping position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line V-V of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View looking upwardly'at the bottom of the table members slet; 31's (see-.Figure 3),.

the housing l2 when actuated by a double-acting pneumatic cylinder Is which:is-'mcuntedffon'fthe frame support structure I 6. A clamp assembly Il, Figure 3, s mounted on either-sideof the table ifi for movements to clampingfpsition by means of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder I9,

The support structure i5 comprises'four :upright leg members 2l) suitably secured together on each side rof the machine -gby .cross bracing "il, VLongitudinal :braces 22 fextend .a1ongeachside of themachine, .are connected to the end legs 28 :by any suitable `meansyas by `Welding, iandhaveasseen in Figure 3, anrangular cross section. VA flat substantially Yrecta-ngular tabletop member 24g-is suitably-supported on the longitudinal members 22 and on the `,top sur- :.iacecf the upright-legszZ.

The:fhousing I2Ltrmay:beyofnanyfsuitable open #frame rconstruction andgas Vherein illustrated,

.nalflange 3l which Adepends;from,'the top plate 3e. A longitudinal recess 32r1isgprovided 1in the depending .flange 3;! andfcooneratesfwith an up- `perfiat strap nortion 34aof a zrectangular frame memberpli Which-is rsecured to the housing. i2

by ;a `pluralityof cap" screwszxto :denne :a` guide A lower :flat strap` Sill? of the frame member 34 cooperates with .a longitudinal. recess 13,1 .inea .longitudinally extending bar Efto deiine iafsecondguidecslot ;39;:dir.ectly opposite slot The bari -mayvbeiormed integral ivithrlhe-'Wall member 29. and .withreinforcing Webplates i6 Whicherefspauedalongthe `length ofthe housing.

A sliding plate 4i of-:substantiallyrectangular configuration .is disposed in the housing I2 in an upright position 'having its. upper and `'lower-ends slidably engaged in vthe slots $6- and :35.2

An ear member 'Missecuredto one face of the Vplate .eI ,extending 'into thehousing .l2 for pivotal connection to the 'bifurcatedfend of a connector lili (Figure 2). The .connector d4 is connected .to the Apiston rod 45 vwhich .extends from the double-.acting pneumatic cylinder I5.

Thus the sliding plate 4I 'is .mounted .for reciprocating sliding movement in slots formed "in .the housing I2 under the ,control of the .pneumatic cylinder l5.

The table assembly I4 comprises anat rectangular portion l1 disposed in aV substantially horizontal plane .and a longitudinally vertical rib member'd formed integral with the member fl?.andextendingxalongside of the housing I2.

The Lweb'nflember Vit hasan offset .spacer portion 49 which holds the web 48 spaced from the Ahousing I2. The web 48 ,ist connectedv Vby means of cap screws 5d to the sliding plate 4I. As the sliding plate dl is -reciprocated through the action of the Vdomole-acting pneumatic cylinder. I5, the

table is of course moved in a reciprocating stroke.

In addition to the central portion lil, the table I is provided with two plates which extend to Vthe side of the central member fil and form the supports for the clamping members Il. These side plates 52, as seen in Figure 6, which is a bottom plan view, are adjust-ably attached to the bottom surface of the center member di by means of a plurality of cap screws 53 which eX- vtend through slots 5:?- in the plate 52, On the top surface of each side plate 52 there is attached, as by means of cap screv-.fs 56, a replaceable insert 58 of hardened material which is of an v'.e101igatedfrectangular configuration and extends laterally along the plate for disposition in a lateral lgroove 6d in the central table member This groove iii) is best shown in Figures 5 and 2. The insert 58 may conveniently have extending flange portions 58a disposed on recess shoulders iia of the groove or slot Sil. The insert/8 sf further provided ywith a substantially -Vrshaped notch ton its outer `marginal. edge. :An-pair :of spaced -ear members Aintegrally formed at the :outer vmargin of the'insert EB, deineafslot Which-a portion'of a :pivoting vlever 6B is disposed for pivoting on a pin G7 which eX- -tends betWeen-theears 55.

The Vclamping assembly Il yincludesthe'pivotfing lever 66 Vwhich has at its inner end a subitsouter end the lever is pivotally connected lil) :between the -bifu-rcated end e901 of la vconnector :ii-@Which is threadingly connected to arod lil extending -throughfan-opening 'II in the plate v52. 4A springl is disposed vvabout the rod. i@ between the-lower edgeof1theplate -52 and a washer '1:1 -which-isadjustably heldfonfrod is. by means of .lock.;-nuts l5.- 'I-he spring "i3 is a compression .spring -and tends atwall times tourgeithe Arod downwardly forgpivotingthe lever Edin va clockwise direction about the pivot pin 'STI-as seen 'in .Eigures kfand-ffl. -Thispivoting action is of 'course ltoward:it-he :unlocked 'clamp-releasing position.

The fclampinglever v66V isV Amoved vto clamping positionbyfmeans of 1a piston rod 'I1 which projects-from the pneumatic cylinder I9 which 'is securedzto thebottom surface `of the, plate v52. AAir vunderpressure is supplied to this `cylinder 'by means of aline 19. When air is ldirected `to the` lower end of `the cylinder the` piston rod fl'lnmoves .out of the cylinder I9 and engages the lower surface of Vthe lever 66 and Vcauses counter-clockwiserotation of the lever A6E.

fIt will, of course, be understood that the Aclamping assemblies I'I and the pneumatic cylin-ders are` identical on Veither side of the machine Aasarealso 'the adjustable side plates 52.

The double-acting pneumatic cylinder I5 is supplied with air under pressure by means of air conduits 80 (Figure 1), the now of air through the conduits B0 being controlled by a ,suitable valve .8l which is actuated by a solenoid assembly 82. It will, of course, be understood that 'the actuation of the valve 8l for directing air under pressure selectively to either end of `the cylinder :t5 is effected through a suitable Atiming mechanism coordinated with the operation of apress .so that material will be fed to the processing station of the press at the proper time; suchxas the upstroke of the plunger.

The sheetmaterial is supported as it passes 'over the feeding mechanism by means of a roller v85,. Which is journaled in bearings 86 secured -at theiupper surface of 'upright support members 8T. `The :roller 85 extends entirely across the 45 feeding machine. A second roller 89 (Figure 2) is journaled at either end in a bracket 90 which is secured, as by welding, to the housing I. 'I'he sheet material is supported on the two rollers and, of course, on the upper surface of the center table member 47.

Extending along the marginal edges of the table 4l a pair of guides 92 is provided which have ange portions 92a overhanging the stock as it rests on the table 41. The inner side walls of these guide members 92 guide the edges of the sheet material as it passes over the table.

As best seen in Figure 6 each side guide member 92 is adjustably mounted relative to the center table member 4l by means ofscrews 9E which extend through slots 95 in bars 96 which are welded to the bottom of the member 4l. The guide members 92 are secured to the side plates 52 by means of a plurality of cap screws 9T and therefore the guide members 92 will be moved laterally with the plate 52 when the plate 52' is adjusted to accommodate different sizes of sheet material.

As previously mentioned, the clamping levers 56 engage the sheet material just before the pneumatic cylinder I5 begins its forward feeding stroke and releases the'sheet material just before the cylinder I5 returns the table to its initial position. This coordination of the clamping action with the feeding stroke is effected by means of a pair of pins IU@ and II (Figure l) which are secured to and project away from the lower bar member 34h of the frame assembly 3d. These pins I I) and IDI are spaced from each other and are arranged to contact a trip lever |92 which depends from a switch I 03 secured to the side of the spacer portion 49 of the vertical rib i8 of the table, As seen in Figure l, the table I 4 is at the end of the forward feeding stroke and the lever H12 has been tripped by the pin IIlI to cause de-energization of a solenoid Ill5 which controls, through a springpressed lever IU'I, an air valve |05 connected to the lines I9 of both of the clamp-actuating cylinders I9 (see Figures 1 and 2). Thus, air has been directed to the top of each of the cylinders I9 to retract the piston rod 'Il therein and permit the spring I3 to pivot the associated clamping lever 56 out of clamping position. When the pneumatic cylinder I5 retracts the table III to its initial position, the lever Il2 will contact the pin |99 and be tripped in an opposite direction to energize the solenoid I5 and actuate the valve IDS to direct air to the lower end of the cylinders I9 to cause the piston rods Il to pivot the levers 55 into a clamping position.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that there is provided in this invention a simple efficient mechanism for positively gripping sheet material at its marginal edges and feeding it forwardly to a processing table an accurate predetermined distance. It is within the scope of this invention to vary the feeding stroke of the table It by changing the effective stroke of piston rod 45 of the cylinder I5 or substituting a different cylinder I5 with a different length of stroke.

This feeding machine effects its positive feeding movement by actually indenting the edges of the sheet material and locking it in a notch of a plate so that in the forward feeding stroke of the table there is no possibility of slippage. By a novel arrangement of an adjustable side plate on which the clamping device is mounted, there is provided in this invention means for adapting the table to various widths of sheet stock. The stock feeding mechanism is extremely simple in operation and is particularly adapted to automatic feeding of stock to a processing station.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

y l. A feed mechanism for sheet stock comprising a support structure, a housing mounted longitudinally on said support structure having a pair of spaced guide grooves, a slide disposed in said guide grooves for movement relative to said housing, power means for reciprccation of said slide in said grooves, a table secured to said slide having aliat top portion for supporting the sheet stock,

said top portion having laterally extending slots at the side margins thereof, removable inserts disposed in said slots, means for clamping the sheet material against said inserts, and power means for applying said clamping means.

2. A stock feed mechanism comprising a support structure, a housing mounted on said support structure having a pair of spaced guide grooves, a slide disposed in said guide grooves for movement relative to said housing, power means for reciprocating said slide in said groove, a table secured to said slide having a top portion supporting the stock and having laterally extending slots at the side margin thereof, replaceable inserts disposed in said slots having spaced upstanding ear members, a clamp pivotally mounted between each set of ear members, and power means for pivoting said clamps to lock said stock onto said inserts.

3. A stock feed mechanism comprising a support structure, a housing on said support structure, a slide reciprocably mounted on said housing, power means for reciprocating said slide, a table secured to said slide for movement therewith, replaceable inserts connected to said table having V-shaped grooves in the upper surface thereof, a clamp pivotally mounted on each replaceable insert, and power means for pivoting said clamps to lock a sheet of material in the V- shaped grooves in said replaceable inserts.

4. A stock feed mechanism comprising a support structure, a housing disposed on said support structure, a slide reciprocably mounted on said housing, a table secured to said slide for movement therewith having a horizontal central portion and side portions adjustably mounted on said central portion, a replaceable insert on each adjustable side member, a clamp mounted on each insert for locking a sheet of material against said side member of said table, and a power cylinder depending from each adjustable side member and in abutting contact with said clamping member for moving said clamping member into locking position.

5. A stock feed mechanism comprising a support structure, a table slidably mounted on said support structure, a lever pivotally mounted on said table for positively pressing the sheet material against said table, electrically operable means for pivoting said lever to and from clamping position, power means for reciprocating said table, spaced pins mounted on said support structure, and a switch for actuating said electrically operable means mounted on said table and having a :switch: actuating leverdepending-therefrom, said pinsfbeing in fthepathpf' travelfof said switch actuating lever vassaid table is reciprocated, for tripping-said switch toactuate said'means iorfpivoting said clamping lever.

6. A stock feed mechanism 'comprising a sup `port structure, a table slidably mounted onsaid .support structure, aV lever pivotally mounted on said table for locking the sheet Amaterial against saidfvta-ble; apneumatic cylinder secured -to said table-rand operableV on said lever to pivot same, lines for supplying air under pressure to yeither end of said pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid control valve mountedion said support structure and controlling flow of 'airunder pressure through said lines, a switch on said table having a lever depending therefrom, a pair of spaced pins on said support structure in the path of travel of said depending lever as said table is reciprocated, one of said pins being eiective to trip said lever for energizing said solenoid control valve for vdirecting air to one end of said pneumatic cylinder to Apivot said clamping lever and lock the sheet material on said table.

7. A clamp comprising'a base member, ari-insert removably attached to said base member having a notch in the upper surface thereof and .spaced ear members, a pin disposed `between said ear members, a lever pivotally mounted on said pin having a forward material-engaging V- shaped edge movable into said notch on said removable element, a power cylinder secured to said hase having a rod movable against said -lever i8 `to :pivot the leverinto .material-engaging position,-and-s'pringmeans yfor pivoting said lever to disengage said-material.

9. A stock feed mechanism comprising a sup- :port structure,- a sheet support member movable on said support structure, means for motivating 4sa-idmember, replaceable inserts-connected to said memberandhaving recesses therein, and a clamp mounted onf-each-insert movable into the recess to lockan engagedfsheet of material therein.

9. -Mechanismforfclamping vsheet material to a table comprising apair `of aligned grooves on opposite'marginal portions `of said table, a pair of leversfhaving portions movable into said grooves, mear-1s tsecured to said table ysupporting said Vlevers -for pivotal movement onaxes transverse to saidgrooveslandfoutward from said opposite .marginal portions, 4and means for pivoting Asaid levers.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

References Cited in 'the Vle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Date 

